Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION
AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
The following information should be read in conjunction
with Aeluma, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“we”, “us”, “our”, or the “Company”) unaudited
financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this report. Information in this Item 2, “Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and elsewhere in this Form 10-Q that does not consist
of historical facts, are “forward-looking statements.” Statements accompanied or qualified by, or containing words such as
“may,” “will,” “should,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,”
“projects,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “outlook,” “forecast,”
“anticipates,” “presume,” and “assume” constitute forward-looking statements, and as such, are not
a guarantee of future performance.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks
and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond our control. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated as a result
of the factors described in the “Risk Factors” and detailed in our other Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)
filings. Risks and uncertainties can include, among others, international, national and local general economic and market conditions:
demographic changes; the ability of the Company to sustain, manage or forecast its growth; the ability of the Company to successfully
make and integrate acquisitions; raw material costs and availability; new product development and introduction; existing government regulations
and changes in, or the failure to comply with, government regulations; adverse publicity; competition; the loss of significant customers
or suppliers; fluctuations and difficulty in forecasting operating results; changes in business strategy or development plans; business
disruptions; the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; the ability to obtain sufficient financing to continue and expand
business operations; the ability to develop technology and products; changes in technology and the development of technology and intellectual
property by competitors; the ability to protect technology and develop intellectual property; and other factors referenced in this and
previous filings. Consequently, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as predictive of future results.
Because of these risks and uncertainties, the
forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this report or incorporated by reference might not transpire. You should review
the disclosure under the heading “Risk Factors” in other filings we make with the SEC for a discussion of important factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained
in the following discussion and analysis.
The Company disclaims any obligation to update
the forward-looking statements in this report.
Overview
On June 22, 2021, the Company, Acquisition
Sub and Biond Photonics entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization (the “Merger Agreement”). Pursuant
to the terms of the Merger Agreement, on June 22, 2021 (the “Closing Date”), Biond Photonics merged with and into Acquisition
Sub, with Acquisition Sub continuing as the surviving corporation and our wholly-owned subsidiary.
As a result of the Merger, we acquired the business
of Biond Photonics, a California corporation, doing business as Aeluma. At the time the certificates of merger reflecting the Merger were
filed with the Secretaries of State of California and Delaware (the “Effective Time”), each of Biond Photonics’ shares
of capital stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the closing of the Merger was converted into the right to receive (a) 1.299135853
shares of our common stock (the “Common Share Conversion Ratio”) , with the maximum number of shares of our common stock issuable
to the former holders of Biond Photonics’ capital stock equal to 4,100,002 after adjustments due to rounding for fractional shares.
Immediately prior to the Effective Time, an aggregate of 2,500,000 shares of our common stock owned by our stockholders prior to the Merger
were forfeited and cancelled (the “Stock Forfeiture”).
The issuance of shares of our common stock to Biond Photonics’
former security holders are collectively referred to as the “Share Conversion.”
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The Merger Agreement contained customary representations
and warranties and pre- and post-closing covenants of each party and customary closing conditions.
As a condition to the Merger, we entered into
an indemnity agreement with our former officer and directors (the “Pre-Merger Indemnity Agreement”), pursuant to which we
agreed to indemnify such former officer and directors for actions taken by them in their official capacities relating to the consideration,
approval and consummation of the Merger and certain related transactions.
The Merger was treated as a recapitalization and
reverse acquisition for us for financial reporting purposes. Biond Photonics is considered the acquirer for accounting purposes, and our
historical financial statements before the Merger were replaced with the historical financial statements of Biond Photonics before the
Merger in future filings with the SEC. The Merger is intended to be treated as a tax-free reorganization under Section 368(a) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
The issuance of securities pursuant to the Share
Conversion was not registered under the Securities Act, in reliance upon the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2)
of the Securities Act, which exempts transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering, and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated
by the SEC thereunder. These securities may not be offered or sold in the U.S. absent registration or an applicable exemption from the
registration requirement and are subject to further contractual restrictions on transfer.
Prior to the Merger,
the sole business purpose of the Company was to seek the acquisition of or merger with, an existing company.
As a result of the consummation
of the Merger, on June 22, 2021, Biond Photonics, Inc. became our wholly-owned subsidiary and the business of Biond Photonics, Inc. became
the business of the Company going forward. Accordingly, at the closing, the Company ceased to be a shell company.
We develop novel optoelectronic
devices for sensing and communications applications. Aeluma has pioneered a technique to manufacture devices using high performance compound
semiconductor materials on large diameter silicon wafers that are commonly used to manufacture mass market microelectronics. This enables
cost effective manufacturing of high performance photodetector array circuits for imaging applications in mobile devices. These devices
may be used as image sensors that generate an image by detecting light, in a manner similar to a digital camera taking a picture. Our
devices may incorporate additional functionality and enhanced performance to enable 3D image capture when integrated into various system
architectures. This technology has the potential to greatly enhance the performance and capability of camera image sensors, LiDAR, augmented
reality, facial recognition, and other applications. Aeluma has acquired a key piece of manufacturing equipment and has headquarters in
Goleta, CA with a manufacturing cleanroom to house this equipment.
The Private Placement Offering
Immediately following the Merger, we sold 3,482,500
shares of our common stock pursuant to an initial closing of a private placement offering at a purchase price of $2.00 per share (the
“Offering Price”). We held a second closing on June 28, 2021 for an additional 402,500 shares of our common stock and
a third and final close on July 1, 2021 for an additional 115,000. Accordingly, we sold a total of 4,000,000 shares of our common
stock. The private placement offering is referred to herein as the “Offering.”
The aggregate gross proceeds from the three closings
of the Offering were $8,000,000 (before deducting placement agent fees and expenses of the Offering of $1,082,575).
The three closings of the Offering were exempt
from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated by the SEC thereunder.
The common stock in the Offering was sold to “accredited investors,” as defined in Regulation D, and was conducted on a “reasonable
best efforts” basis.
In connection with the Offering and subject to
the closing of the Offering, we agreed to pay the placement agent, GP Nurmenkari Inc. (the “Placement Agent”), a U.S. registered
broker-dealer, a cash placement fee of 10% of the gross proceeds raised from investors in the Offering (other than the first $630,000
of common stock sold to pre-Merger Biond Photonics shareholders and their friends and family, for which the Placement Agent received a
3% cash fee, and $170,000 of common stock sold to pre-Merger Biond Photonics friends and family for which the Placement Agent received
no cash fee) and to issue to it 50,000 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase a number of shares of our common stock equal
to 10% of the number of shares of common stock sold in the Offering (other than the first $800,000 of common stock sold to pre-Merger
Biond Photonics shareholders and their friends and family), with a term of five years and an exercise price of $2.00 per share (the “Placement
Agent Warrants”). We also agreed to pay certain expenses of the Placement Agent in connection with the Offering.
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As a result of the foregoing, we paid the Placement
Agent an aggregate commission of $748,900 and issued to it 50,000 shares of our common stock and Placement Agent Warrants to purchase
360,000 shares of our common stock in connection with the two closings of the Offering. We have also reimbursed the Placement Agent for
approximately $265,000 of legal and other expenses incurred in connection with the Offering.
A note payable to an
officer of Parc Investments, Inc. in the amount of $50,000 was repaid directly from the proceeds from the Offering.
Subject to certain customary exceptions, we agreed
to indemnify the Placement Agent to the fullest extent permitted by law against certain liabilities that may be incurred in connection
with the Offering, including certain civil liabilities under the Securities Act, and, where such indemnification is not available, to
contribute to the payments the Placement Agent and their sub-agents may be required to make in respect of such liabilities.
Plan of Operations
We have been developing
our materials and characterization capabilities at our headquarters in Goleta, CA, in connection with the further development of our business
and the implementation of our plan of operations. We have installed some key manufacturing equipment at our headquarters and will continue
to develop relationships with manufacturing partners to carry out certain steps of our manufacturing processes externally. We have gained
access to a rapid prototyping facility and are leveraging this access to fabricate early-stage prototypes. In the future, we intend to
implement appropriate quality and manufacturing controls. Some equipment was procured previously, and other equipment is being procured
through purchase orders with equipment vendors. The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely disrupted, and may further disrupt, the operations
at certain of our suppliers and other third-party providers. Lead times for certain materials and parts ordered have been longer than
anticipated and on-site support for equipment maintenance has been challenging to schedule. Spare parts have been procured to minimize
disruption to our development. The rapid prototyping facility that we access for development was closed for a brief period of time at
the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been open for unlimited access since Aeluma has first gained access.
The primary sources of
funding for equipment procurement and installation are the seed funding raised prior to becoming a public company and the funding raised
from our financing during June/July of 2021. We have also leveraged funds to continue strengthening our intellectual property including
patent applications, trademarks, and development of trade secrets and manufacturing process recipes. We will continue to develop our manufacturing
and product development strategy by further engaging customers and strategic partners.
Limited Operating History
We cannot guarantee that the proceeds from the
Offering will be sufficient to carry out all of our business plans. Our business is subject to risks inherent in growing an enterprise,
including limited capital resources, risks inherent in the research and development process and possible rejection of our products in
development.
If financing is not available on satisfactory
terms, we may be unable to carry out all of our operations. Equity financing will result in dilution to existing stockholders.
Change of Fiscal Year
On June 30, 2021, we changed our fiscal year
from the period beginning on January 1 and ending on December 31 to the period beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30
of each year.
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Results of Operations
Three months ended September 30, 2022 compared
to the three months ended September 30, 2021
Our results of operations for the three-month
period ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the three-month period ended September 30, 2021, were as follows (some balances on the
prior period’s combined financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation):
Three Months Ended September 30,
2022
2021
Change ’22 vs. ’21
Revenue
$ -
$ -
$ -
Operating expenses
1,566,687
694,776
871,911
Other income
36,646
91,126
(54,480 )
Loss before provision for income tax
(1,530,041 )
(603,650 )
(926,391 )
Provision for income tax
-
-
-
Net loss
$ (1,530,041 )
$ (603,650 )
$ (926,391 )
Net Revenues : We are pre-revenue and, accordingly
recorded no revenues for either the three months ended September 30, 2022 or 2021.
Operating Expenses : During the three months
ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, we incurred $1,566,687 and $694,777 of operating expenses, respectively. This increase was due to the
start-up of operations and stock compensation expenses related to advisor and consulting agreements.
Sub-lease rental income and other income:
During the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company recorded net rental and other income of $36,646 and $91,126, respectively.
The decrease was due to the reduced rental space to a sub-lease to our tenant.
Provision for income tax : The Company recorded
no provision for income tax for either of the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, as such amounts are insignificant.
Net Loss : Net loss increased to $1,530,041
for the three months ended September 30,2022, as compared to $603,650 for the three months ended September 30, 2021 for start-up of operations
and stock compensation expenses related to advisor and consulting agreements.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
Our financial statements have been presented on
the basis that are a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course
of business. As presented in the financial statements, we incurred a net loss of $1,530,041 for the three months ended September 30, 2022
and losses are expected to continue in the near term. The accumulated deficit was $5,212,525. We have been funding our operations through
private loans and the sale of common stock in private placement transactions.
Management anticipates that significant additional
expenditures will be necessary to develop and expand our business before significant positive operating cash flows can be achieved. Our
ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon our ability to raise additional capital and to ultimately achieve sustainable
revenues and profitable operations. At September 30, 2022, we had $2,371,323 of cash on hand. These funds are insufficient to complete
our business plan and, as a consequence, we will need to seek additional funds, primarily through the issuance of debt or equity securities
for cash to operate our business. No assurance can be given that any future financing will be available or, if available, that it will
be on terms that are satisfactory to us. Even if we are able to obtain additional financing, it may contain undue restrictions on our
operations, in the case of debt financing or cause substantial dilution for our stockholders, in the case of equity financing.
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Management has undertaken steps as part of a plan
to improve operations with the goal of sustaining our operations for the next twelve months and beyond. These steps include (a) raising
additional capital and/or obtaining financing; (b) controlling overhead and expenses; and (c) executing material sales or research contracts.
There can be no assurance that the Company can successfully accomplish these steps and it is uncertain that the Company will achieve a
profitable level of operations and obtain additional financing. There can be no assurance that any additional financing will be available
to the Company on satisfactory terms and conditions, if at all. As of the date of this Report, we have not entered into any formal agreements
regarding the above.
In the event the Company is unable to continue
as a going concern, the Company may elect or be required to seek protection from its creditors by filing a voluntary petition in bankruptcy
or may be subject to an involuntary petition in bankruptcy. To date, management has not considered this alternative, nor does management
view it as a likely occurrence.
We had net
working capital of $2,587,345 and $4,058,409 at September 30, 2022 and June 30, 2022, respectively. Current assets decreased $1,047,772
to $3,383,076 at September 30, 2022 from $4,430,848 at June 30, 2022, primarily due to funding operating expenses of $1,566,687 for the
three months ended September 30, 2022. Current liabilities increased $423,292 to $795,731 at September 30, 2022 from $372,439 at June
30, 2022, due primarily to a $300,000 increase in other liabilities, which will be recorded to additional paid-in capital when restricted
stocks are issued in November 2022.
The following
table shows a summary of our cash flows for the periods presented:
Three Months Ended September 30,
2022
2021
Change ’22 vs. ’21
Net cash (used in) provided by
Operating activities
$ (1,316,739 )
$ (492,052 )
$ (824,687 )
Investing activities
(52,660 )
(258,910 )
206,250
Financing activities
-
161,930
(161,930 )
Decrease in cash
$ (1,369,399 )
$ (589,032 )
$ (780,367 )
Net cash used in our operating activities were
$1,316,739 and $492,052 for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021. The increase of $824,687 was due mainly to $871,911 increase
in operating expenses.
Net cash used in our investing activities was
$52,660 and $258,910 for the three months ended September 30,2022 and 2021, respectively. Investing activity for the three months ended
September 30, 2021was related to the setup of our new facility.
Our financing activities generated a cash inflow
of $161,930 for the three months ended September 30, 2021, due to the offering described above.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in accordance
with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions affecting the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the
financial statements and the reported amounts of net revenues and expenses in the reporting period. We base our estimates and assumptions
on current facts, historical experience and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results
of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the accrual of costs and expenses
that are not readily apparent from other sources. We continually review the estimates and underlying assumptions to ensure they are appropriate
for the circumstances. Accounting assumptions and estimates are inherently uncertain and actual results may differ materially from our
estimates.
A summary of our other critical accounting policies
is included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2022. During the three months ended September 30,2022, there were no significant changes
in our critical accounting policies.
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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements,
financings, or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or other persons, also known as “special purpose entities”
(SPEs).
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Not applicable.
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.